Emergency escape device

Abstract

A device for emergency escape from an elevated position in a structure is disclosed which includes an elongated frame fixable at the bottom, either to the structure or adjacent to the structure. The elongated frame is removably fixable to the structure at the top near the elevated position. An elongated collapsible-extensible slide is affixed to the top of the elongated frame and is itself fixable to the structure by removable means so that release of the frame at the top extends the slide from near the elevated position on the structure into a useable form for escape. Escape is accomplished by an individual sliding down the extended slide.

Embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows: 
     
       1. An escape device for emergency escape from an elevated position in a structure comprising: elongated frame means rigidly associatable at a first end to said structure adjacent to ground level and removeably fixable in a first position at the second opposite end of said frame means to said structure adjacent said elevated position;   elongated collapsible-extensible slide means rigidly affixed at one end with said second end of said frame means and fixable adjacent said elevated position to said structure independent of said elongated frame means at the other second end of said collapsible-extensible slide means;   lock means operable from said elevated position for lockingly engaging said second end of said collapsible-extensible slide means with said structure immediately adjacent said elevated position and for releasing said second end of said elongated frame means so that said frame means is allowed to rotate through an arc to lie adjacent the ground level in a second position and extend said collapsible-extensible slide means whereby human escape may occur from said elevated position by sliding down the extended collapsible-extensible slide means;   and further wherein the collapsible-extensible slide means comprises a plurality of rigid members each hinged in an accordian fashion in an end-to-end relationship one with the next.   
     
     
       2. The escape device of claim 1 wherein the second end of elongated frame means comprises a weighted portion. 
     
     
       3. The escape device of claim 2 wherein the elongated frame means further comprises two longitudinal members, a top lateral member and a bottom lateral member; said top lateral member interconnecting said two longitudinal members at one end thereof;   said bottom lateral member forming a part of the weighted portion and interconnecting said two longitudinal members at the other opposite end;   the lock means releasably affixed to said bottom lateral member.   
     
     
       4. The escape device of claim 1 wherein the lock means comprises: a cover plate hingedly fixed to the second end of the collapsible-extensible slide means; and   a locking bar fixable to the structure, said locking bar while affixed to said structure rotatable through an arc to engage said hingeable cover plate to fixedly associate said collapsible-extensible slide means with said structure.   
     
     
       5. The escape device of claim 4 further comprising a break-away fitting including a pin member affixed to the elongated frame means proximate the second end thereof and defining a detent groove and detent means fixable to said structure for releasably receiving said pin member whereby said elongated frame means may be retained proximate said structure. 
     
     
       6. The escape device of claim 5 further comprising alarm means associated with said pin member and said detent means for sounding an alarm upon separation of said pin member and said detent means. 
     
     
       7. The escape device of claim 6 wherein the second end of elongated frame means comprises a weighted portion. 
     
     
       8. The escape device of claim 7 wherein the elongated frame means further comprises two longitudinal members, a top lateral member and a bottom lateral member; said top lateral member interconnecting said two longitudinal members at one end thereof;   said bottom lateral member forming a part of the weighted portion and interconnecting said two longitudinal members at the other opposite end;   the lock means releasably affixed to said bottom lateral member.   
     
     
       9. The escape device of claim 8 wherein the elongated frame means further comprises a box member affixed to the second end thereof, said box member for receiving said collapsible-extensible slide means with said elongated frame means in a first position. 
     
     
       10. The escape device of claim 4 further comprising a clamp member fixable to the structure proximate the elevated position thereof to releasably receive the elongated frame means.